Post by Mr.Christmas on Oct 16, 2004 11:34:09 GMT -5
Q: It's okay, Santa. The world wants to see your more human side.
A: Well, ok, I'll just blurt it out then.
Q: That's the spirit!
A: I'm addicted to... I mean I like to...wear men's underwear. There, I said it.
Q: [laughs] Santa, you're too funny.
A: Well, what's to say? I'm a boring guy. I don't have any skeletons in my closet, I lead a quiet life, I avoid extreme positions, I generally refuse to discuss politics and religion. There's really no big news with me except for the most important message of all.
Q: What's that?
A: Merry Christmas.
Q: Huh?
A: Yes, Merry Christmas. That's the message.
Q: Well, yes, Santa. Everyone knows that.
A: But what does that really mean?
Q: Mean? It means, you know, Merry Christmas. Happy holidays. I guess.
A: Molly, I'm surprised at you. Merry Christmas is much more than just a greeting.
Q: Well, sure...
A: No, I'm serious about this. There is a huge message packed inside those two words. That is why I keep coming back year after year. I want folks to get that message. Just two words. That's all I want them to understand. But for most it takes a lifetime just to get it.
Q: Santa, what's the big message? I had no idea. I thought Merry Christmas simply meant Merry Christmas.
A: Molly, when someone looks you square in the eye and warmly says "Merry Christmas", how does that make you feel?
Q: [smiles] It makes me feel good.
A: Yes! And why?
Q: Because I love Christmas.
A: And why do you love Christmas?
Q: Well, it's fun.
A: Sure it's fun. But pinball is fun. Do you get the same feeling from pinball as you do from Christmas?
Q: No, no. Christmas is much more fun. I love Christmas for so many reasons.
A: Really? Name some reasons for me.
Q: Well, the decorations.
A: Yes.
Q: The lights.
A: Yes, what else?
Q:[laughs] The food.
A: Sure, anything else.
Q: Well, it is not just one or two things. I love Christmas because it is a time where I am together with the people I love the most, we do fun things together, we have a great time. I love Christmas for all of it. I love Christmas because it has so many emotions tied to it. The best memories are made at Christmas.
A: Yes, that's exactly right. But it is much more than even all that.
Q: Say, who's interviewing whom here?
A: That's ok, Molly. This is the best interviewed I have had since Charles thingyens.
Q: thingyens interviewed you?
A: Yep, sure did. Who do you think was the model for Christmas-yet-to-come?
Q: You?
A: Yep. See, another world exclusive detail for you.
Q: Thanks, Santa. But what can be much more about Christmas than I just described?
A: Well, Molly. It's love. All of that is the byproduct of pure love - peace on earth, goodwill to all men. That's the message. Those are the glad tidings.
Q: Don't you think we know that?
A: I'm not so sure. Do you think there is peace on earth?
Q: No, of course not.
A: Is there goodwill towards men - really?
Q: No. Not much.
A: And as long as that answer is no then I think folks are not hearing the message of Christmas.
Q: If they are not getting it, Santa, why not just tell them.
A: I just did.
Q: [sighs] Nobody is going to see, hear or read this interview, Santa.
A: Maybe not. Or maybe they will. You never know. Just when I think I have people figured out and lower my expectations someone comes along and surprises me. I have learned to never underestimate the ability in all people to do good.
Q: Well, that's hopeful, at least.
A: I am an optimist, Molly. The world might not get the message of Christmas entirely, but that doesn't mean I think the world is a bad place or that they will never get it.
Q: What do you think of the world then? If you weren't Santa, what would you be?
A: Oh, no doubt about that. I'd be a school teacher.
Q: Really?
A: Yes. I love kids. I love the human mind. I think it is a most noble profession.
Q: I think you'd be an excellent teacher, Santa.
A: Thank you.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Oh, like everyone else, I have my pastimes. I cook, I like to build things. I love sports.
Q: I hear a lot of folks from Chicago added something to their Christmas list this year.
A: Yes, those poor Cubs fans.
Q: You seem to talk about the Cubs every year. Are you a Cubs fan?
A: Well, sure, everyone loves the Cubbies. You can't help but love them. Just like you can't help but love the Red Sox, the Browns, the Cavaliers or the Jets.
Q: Are you calling all those teams losers?
A: No, I'm calling them lovable.
Q: Are the Yankees lovable?
A: Yeah, sure. When they are losing...
Q: I see. Do you go to the movies much?
A: No, not so much any more.
Q: Why not? Do you not like the movies?
A: Not like I used to. I just can't trust them. Even if they are telling a fictional story you can't trust moviemakers to tell the story without unnecessary violence or other elements that tear down the human spirit.
Q: What about music?
A: Mrs. Claus and I listen to a great deal of music. We believe music is nutrition for the spirit. You need it just like you need fruits and vegetables and sugar cookies.
Q: Oh, that leads to the inevitable question. Santa. What about your weight? When are you going to lose some weight?
A: What is with this obsession? Every adult I know asks me about my weight. But rarely does a kid ever ask me that. Why do you think that is?
Q: I think you're ducking the question, Santa.
A: No, I'll answer it. I think my weight is fine. I feel great, I look terrific. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
--Continued in Part V--
A: Well, ok, I'll just blurt it out then.
Q: That's the spirit!
A: I'm addicted to... I mean I like to...wear men's underwear. There, I said it.
Q: [laughs] Santa, you're too funny.
A: Well, what's to say? I'm a boring guy. I don't have any skeletons in my closet, I lead a quiet life, I avoid extreme positions, I generally refuse to discuss politics and religion. There's really no big news with me except for the most important message of all.
Q: What's that?
A: Merry Christmas.
Q: Huh?
A: Yes, Merry Christmas. That's the message.
Q: Well, yes, Santa. Everyone knows that.
A: But what does that really mean?
Q: Mean? It means, you know, Merry Christmas. Happy holidays. I guess.
A: Molly, I'm surprised at you. Merry Christmas is much more than just a greeting.
Q: Well, sure...
A: No, I'm serious about this. There is a huge message packed inside those two words. That is why I keep coming back year after year. I want folks to get that message. Just two words. That's all I want them to understand. But for most it takes a lifetime just to get it.
Q: Santa, what's the big message? I had no idea. I thought Merry Christmas simply meant Merry Christmas.
A: Molly, when someone looks you square in the eye and warmly says "Merry Christmas", how does that make you feel?
Q: [smiles] It makes me feel good.
A: Yes! And why?
Q: Because I love Christmas.
A: And why do you love Christmas?
Q: Well, it's fun.
A: Sure it's fun. But pinball is fun. Do you get the same feeling from pinball as you do from Christmas?
Q: No, no. Christmas is much more fun. I love Christmas for so many reasons.
A: Really? Name some reasons for me.
Q: Well, the decorations.
A: Yes.
Q: The lights.
A: Yes, what else?
Q:[laughs] The food.
A: Sure, anything else.
Q: Well, it is not just one or two things. I love Christmas because it is a time where I am together with the people I love the most, we do fun things together, we have a great time. I love Christmas for all of it. I love Christmas because it has so many emotions tied to it. The best memories are made at Christmas.
A: Yes, that's exactly right. But it is much more than even all that.
Q: Say, who's interviewing whom here?
A: That's ok, Molly. This is the best interviewed I have had since Charles thingyens.
Q: thingyens interviewed you?
A: Yep, sure did. Who do you think was the model for Christmas-yet-to-come?
Q: You?
A: Yep. See, another world exclusive detail for you.
Q: Thanks, Santa. But what can be much more about Christmas than I just described?
A: Well, Molly. It's love. All of that is the byproduct of pure love - peace on earth, goodwill to all men. That's the message. Those are the glad tidings.
Q: Don't you think we know that?
A: I'm not so sure. Do you think there is peace on earth?
Q: No, of course not.
A: Is there goodwill towards men - really?
Q: No. Not much.
A: And as long as that answer is no then I think folks are not hearing the message of Christmas.
Q: If they are not getting it, Santa, why not just tell them.
A: I just did.
Q: [sighs] Nobody is going to see, hear or read this interview, Santa.
A: Maybe not. Or maybe they will. You never know. Just when I think I have people figured out and lower my expectations someone comes along and surprises me. I have learned to never underestimate the ability in all people to do good.
Q: Well, that's hopeful, at least.
A: I am an optimist, Molly. The world might not get the message of Christmas entirely, but that doesn't mean I think the world is a bad place or that they will never get it.
Q: What do you think of the world then? If you weren't Santa, what would you be?
A: Oh, no doubt about that. I'd be a school teacher.
Q: Really?
A: Yes. I love kids. I love the human mind. I think it is a most noble profession.
Q: I think you'd be an excellent teacher, Santa.
A: Thank you.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Oh, like everyone else, I have my pastimes. I cook, I like to build things. I love sports.
Q: I hear a lot of folks from Chicago added something to their Christmas list this year.
A: Yes, those poor Cubs fans.
Q: You seem to talk about the Cubs every year. Are you a Cubs fan?
A: Well, sure, everyone loves the Cubbies. You can't help but love them. Just like you can't help but love the Red Sox, the Browns, the Cavaliers or the Jets.
Q: Are you calling all those teams losers?
A: No, I'm calling them lovable.
Q: Are the Yankees lovable?
A: Yeah, sure. When they are losing...
Q: I see. Do you go to the movies much?
A: No, not so much any more.
Q: Why not? Do you not like the movies?
A: Not like I used to. I just can't trust them. Even if they are telling a fictional story you can't trust moviemakers to tell the story without unnecessary violence or other elements that tear down the human spirit.
Q: What about music?
A: Mrs. Claus and I listen to a great deal of music. We believe music is nutrition for the spirit. You need it just like you need fruits and vegetables and sugar cookies.
Q: Oh, that leads to the inevitable question. Santa. What about your weight? When are you going to lose some weight?
A: What is with this obsession? Every adult I know asks me about my weight. But rarely does a kid ever ask me that. Why do you think that is?
Q: I think you're ducking the question, Santa.
A: No, I'll answer it. I think my weight is fine. I feel great, I look terrific. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
--Continued in Part V--